Fuel-feeding system



C. H. BRASELTON.

FUEL FEEDING SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 8. m7.

1,367,454. Patented F651 1,1921.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

Supp/e/venfar fiarbalzeror wrbl/refar l awuemiioz C. H. BRASELTON.

FUEL FEEDING SYSTEM. APPLlCATlON FILED AUG-8.1917.

Patented Fb.'1,1921.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

Garbu/emr fuel Ton/r Fuel l'anl UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHESTER H. BBASELTON, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE COMPANY, OF TOLEDO, OHIO,

WILLYS-OVERLAN-D A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

FUEL-FEEDING SYSTEM.

Application filed August 8,

To all whomt may concern:

Be it known that I, CHESTER H. BRASEL- TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Toledo, in the county of Lucas and State of Ohio, have invented certain new Improvements in Fuel-Feeding Systems, of which I declare the following to be a full clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to improvements in fuel feeding systems for motor vehicles.

The principal object of this invention is to provide an electrically operated fuel feeding system for motor vehicles. A further object of this invention is to provide a fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, in which fuel is lifted from a main low level fuel supply tank to a supplementary fuel tank, located above the plane of the carbureter, by means actuated by anelectric circuit, which is automatically broken, when the fuel in the supplementary tank reaches a predetermined level. A further object of this invention is to provide means for lifting fuel from a main low level fuel supply tank to a supplementary tank, located in a plane above the carbureter, said means being operated b an electric circuit, which is made and bro (en by an interrupter actuated by any moving part of the motor vehicle. A further object of this invention is to provide a pump for lifting fuel from a main low level fuel supply tank to a supplementary tank, said pump being entirely automatic and actuated by a circuit, which is broken when the fuel in the supplementaryv fuel tank reaches a predetermined level. 7

Further objects, and objects relating to economies of manufacture and details, of construction, will definitely appear from the detailed description to-fol-low.

I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the following specification. My invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the appended claims.

A structure constituting a preferred embodiineiit of' ny invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure I is a diagrammatic view of a system embodying my invention.

Fig. II is an enlarged, detail, sectional view through the pum and the supplementary fuel tank, the wiring of the electric cir- Specification of Letters Patent.

1917. Serial No. 185,084.

several views.

Considering the numbered parts of the drawing, I have shown an internal combustion engine 10, provided with acarbureter 11, which is supplied with fuel from a main fuel supply tank 12, which may be located in a plane lower than that of the carburetor. A pump chamber 13 is provided, which is connected with the main fuel supply tank 12, by means of the fuel pipe 14, having a non-return valve 15, between said pipe and the pump chamber 13. The pump chamber 13 is connected with a supplementary fuel tank 18, which is located in a plane above that of the carbureter 11, by means of a fuel pipe 16, having a non-return valve 17, betweenthepump chamber 13 and said pipe 16. The supplementary fuel tank 18 is connected with the bowl of the carbureter 11 by means of a fuel pipe 19, so that fuel may feed by gravity from the supplementary tank 18 to the carbureter bowl. A source Patented Feb. 1, 1921..

erals refer to similar parts throughout the of current 20, which may well be a storage battery, is connected by the wire 21 with the fixed terminal 22, which co-acts with the movable terminal 23, connected by the wire 24 with one end of the solenoid 25, the other end of which is connected with a fixed contact 26. The fixed contact 26 cooperates with a contact 27, carried on the end of a stem 32, which is ma e of soft iron or other suitable ma netic material and extends within and orms the core for the solenoid 25. A vent 33 is provided in the upper end of the supplementary fuel tank 18, so that said fuel tank is always under atmospheric pressure and fuel may feed therefrom by gravity to the carbureter bowl. A float 34 is isposed in the tank 18 and provided with an upwardlyextending stem 35, which is adapted to engage the movable terminal 23. so as to move it out of engagement with the fixed terminal 22 to open the circuit.

In Figs. III, IV and V, I have s modified form of m invention in w ich the carburetor 11 attached to the engine lO is supplied with fuel from the main fuel sup-, ply tank 12. The pum chamber 36 is connected with the main uel supply tank by own a 1 the fuel pipe 37 havingthe non-return valve 38 between said pipe and said pump chamber. The pump chamber 36 is also connected with t e supplementary fuel tank 18, .by meansof the fuel pipe 41 having the non-return valve 42 between said pum chamber and the fuel pipe. A, cover 39 1s secured to the top of the pump chamber 36 and provided with a vent by means of which the-chamber is connected with the atmosphere. The supplementary-fuel tank 18 is provided with a vent 33 connecting it with the'atm'osphere, so that the fuel therein is alwavs under atmospheric pressure. The

fioat 34 having the upwardly extending stem 35 which is adapted to engage the movable terminal 23 so as to move 1t out of engagement with the terminal 22, -to open the oncuit, is the same as in the form of my invention, shown in Figs. I and II. An upright member 44 is secured to the top39 of the pum chamber 36 and provided with a head aving a. lower inclined surface, as. clearly shown in Fig.- IV of the drawing.

Battery 20 is connected by wire 21-withthe fixed terminal 22 and the movable-terminal 23 is connected by the wire 24 with the upright member 44. The other side of thebattery 20 is connected by the wire 46 with the solenoid 47, theother terminal offw-hich is connected by the 'wire 48 with the dog 49,-

which ispivotally mounted at 50 on the stem 51, carried by the piston 52, which moves within the pump chamber 36. The dog-49 is suitably insulated from'the stem, 51, and

the engagement of the dog 49 with the up- I as right' 44- closes the circuit. through the sole- A noid 47-, The piston52 carries'an 'upri ht ste1n53, which ismadeofsoft iron or ot er suitable magneticfimateri'al forms the core for'the-solenoid' 47. An arm 54 ex tendslaterally from the upper of the tank into the pump to such a leve 50. An inclined b lock 56 is fixed on the "cover 39 in position to be engaged by the tail of the dog in its lower position to force the same into engagement with the upri ht 44.

rom the description of the parts given above, the operation of my improved fuel feed system should be very readily understood. In the embodiment of my invention shown in Figs. I and II, the rotating cam 29 is driven from any suitable part of the machine so that it is caused to rotate so as to intermittently bring the contacts 26 and 27 into engagement with each other. With the parts in the position shown in Fig. II, in which the terminals 22 and 23 are in engagement with each other, the circuit from the battery 20 is closed and current passes from the battery 20 through the wire 21, terminals 22 and 23, wire 24, solenoid 25, contacts 26 and 27, interrupter lever 28 and wire 30 to the battery 20. It will be seen that the solenoid is thus energized and the core 32 thereof will be lifted, bringing the flexible diaphragm to the position shown by dotted lines in Fig. II. ..-When the cam 29 has moved so as to allow the contacts 26 and 27 to separate, the circuit will be broken and the solenoid 25 deenergized so that the weight of the core 32 and the other parts carried by the diaphragm will cause the diaphragm to move to the osition shown in full lines in Fig. II. enthe circuit is closed, so as to energize the solenoid, fuel will be drawn from the main fuel supply chamber 13, and when the circuit is broken so as to deenergize the solenoid, fuel will be forced from the pump chamber 13 through the pipe 16 into the supplementary fuel tank 18. When the fuel in the supplementary tank 18 reaches a predetermined level, the stem 35 will engage the movable terminal 23 and lift it out of engagement with the terminal 22, so that the circuit, through the -solenoid 25 is open and said solenoid will be deenergized until the fuel in'the su plementary tank has fallen lthat'the terminal 23 is allowed to engage the terminal 22 once more.

illustrated di 'atically, I do not mean to refer tothe'interrupter lever, which is used in connection with the timing mechanism of the ignition circuit, but I refer to asupplementary fuel tank 18 bowl through the fuel, plpe 19, n theinvention' shown in Figs. III, IV and V, t e fuel is fed from the to ,the carbu-- By the inte'mp e lever I have izo same manner as in the form of my invention just described. The pump chamber 36 is provided with a cover 39 having an opening 40 therein so that the pump chamber is under atmospheric pressure. The piston 52 is movable in said pump chamber and the stem 53 on said piston forms the core for the solenoid, which is included in the circuit from the battery 20. The parts as shown in Fig. IV are in such a position that the circuit is closed, and the solenoid 47 being energized, the piston 52 will be lifted due to the attraction of the solenoid for the core 53. This will carry the piston 52 upward and the stem 51 moves upwardly with it. When the dog 49 engages the inclined surface of the head 45 of the upright member 44, it is thrown and held by the spring 55 against the stop on the stem 51 in the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. V, in which the side of the upright member 44 is represented by dotted lines. Dog 49 will then be out of engagement with the upright member 44 and the circuit from the battery 20 through the solenoid 47 will be broken;

When the circuit is opened and the solenoid deenergized, the weight of the piston and the stem 53, carried thereby, will cause the piston to' fall in the pump chamber 36, forcing fuel from the ump chamber through the i e 41 into the supplementary fuel tank 18. en the piston reaches its lower limit, the

dog 49 will be engaged by the block 56,

throwing it into engagement with the upright member 44, and closing the circuit through the solenoid 47, so that the solenoid will again lift the piston, causing fuel to be drawn into the pump chamber 36. A return pipe 43 is provided so that any excess fuel, which is fed from the chamber 36 to the supplementary fuel tank 18 when the magnet is deenergized, will flow back to the fueltank 12. v

I am aware that the particular embodiment of my invention, Wl'llChI have here shown and described, is susceptible of considerable variation without departing from the spirit of my invention. I have found, however, that this particular embodiment is desirable from many standpoints and, there'- fore, I desire to claim my invention both specifically as well as broadly as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, comprising the combination of a main fuel supply tank; a carbureter; a supplementary fuel tank located in a plane above the carbureter; a pump for lifting fuel from said main tank to said supplementary tank; said pump comprising a pump chamber and a piston movable therein; an electric'cii cuit including a solenoid for actuating said piston, and a source of current;

and means actuated by said piston independently of said solenoid for intermittently making and breaking said circuit.

2. A fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, comprising the combination of a main fuel supply tank; a carbureter; a supplementary fuel tank located in a plane above the carbureter; a pump for lifting fuel from said main tank to said suppleinentary tank, comprising a pump chamber and a piston movable therein; a solenoid for actuating said piston; a circuit, including a source of current in which said solenoid is connected; means, controlled by said piston independently of said solenoid, for making and breaking said circuit; and means, controlled by the level of fuel in said supplementary tank, for opening and closing said circuit.

3. A fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, comprising the combination of a main fuel supply tank; a carbureter; a supplementary fuel tank located in a plane above the carbureter; a pump chamber; connections between said pump chamber and said main and supplementary fuel tanks, which connections include non-return valves; a piston movable in said pump chamber and provided with a stem; a solenoid; an elec tric circuit, including a source of current, in which said solenoid is connected, the stem of said piston forming the core of said solenoid; and means, controlled by said piston independently of said solenoid, for making and breaking said circuit.

4. A fuel feeding system for motor vehicles, comprising the combination of a main fuel supply tank; a carbureter; a supplementary fuel supply tank; a pump chamber; connections between said main and supplementary supply tanks and pump chamher, said connections including non-return valves; an overflow pipe connecting said supplementary fuel tank and said main fuel tank; a piston movable in said pump chamber, provided with an upwardly exmeans for closing said circuit at the lower limit of movement of said piston; said 'circuit breaking and closing means being independent of said solenoid; and means controlled b the fuel level in said supplementary tan for making and breaking said circuit.

6. A fuel feeding system for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a main fuel tank, a carbureter, a supplementary fuel tank connected with the carbureter, a pump including a piston, an electro-mechanical device including an electric circuit adapted to operate said piston independently of the engine for feeding fuel to said supplementary tank froma point above the same, a rod projecting from the iston at one side thereof, a switch for opening and closing said circuit controlled by said rod, and means controlled by a predetermined quantity of fuel in said supplementary tank for breaking said circuit.

7. A fuel feeding system for internal combustion engines comprising the combination of a main fuel supply tank, a carbureter, a supplementary fuel tank connected with the carbureter, a plunger for feeding fuel from said main to said supplementary tank,

an electric circuit including a solenoid for actuating said plunger in one direction, means actuated by the plunger independently of the solenoid for opening said circuit when the plunger moves a predetermined distance in one direction, and means cooperating with the plunger to close said circuit when said plunger moves a predetermined distance in the opposite direction.

8. fuel feeding system for motor ve-* hicles, comprising the combination of a main fuel tank. a carbureter, a supplementarv fuel tank located at a point above the carbureter, a pump chamber communicating with said main and supplementary fuel tanks, a member movable to elevate fuel from said main tank to said chamber, a core mounted upon said member,4an electric circuit including "a solenoid for actuating said core, means independent of said core for intermittently interrupting said circuit, and means for automatically breaking said circuit when the fuel in said supplementary tank reaches apredetermined height. 1

9. A fuel feed device comprising a plunger reciprocally mounted in a. pump chamber, an electric circuit including a solenoid adapted to actuate said plunger, a movable mom v "contact carried by said plunger, a relatively fixed contact, a sprin normally holding said movable contact 1n engagement with the relatively fixed contact, means for shifting said movable contact out of en agement with the fixed contact when the unger is moved a predetermined distance in one direction, and means for returning said movable contact into engagement with the fixed contact when said plunger moves a predetermined distance in an opposite direction.

10. A fuel feed device comprising a lunger reciprocally mounted in a pump 0 amber, an electric circuit including a solenoid for actuating said plunger, a contact support connected with said plunger, a movable contact upon said support, a relatively fixed contact in the path of the movable contact, a sprin connected with said movable contact an adapted to hold it in engagement with said relatively fixed contact during movement of the plunger in one direction and out of contact therewith when the plunger isfmoved in an opposite direction, and

'means .for throwing said movable contact during the movement of the plunger in op-- posite directions.

11. A fuel feed device comprising a lunger reciprocally mounted in a pump 0 amber, an electric circuit including a solenoid for actuating said plunger, a contact su port connected with said plunger, a movab e contact pivoted intermediate its ends upon said support, a relatively fixed contact in the path of the movable contact, a spring connectedwith said movable contact on one side of the pivotal point thereof and adapted to hold it in engagement with said relatively fixed contact during movement of the plunger in one direction and out of contact therewith when the plunger is moved in an opposite direction, and means for throwing said pivoted contact into and out of engagement with said relatively fixed contact at predetermined points during the movement of the pl'un er in opposite directions.

12. A fue feed device comprising a pluner reciprocally mounted in a pump chamer, an electric circuit including a solenoid for actuating said plunger, a contact support connected with said-plunger, a movable contact upon said support, a relatively fixed contact in the path of the movable contact,

.a spring connected with said movable con- .tions, a fuel receiving tank connected with tank, a carburetor, a supplementary fuel' tank connected with the carburetor, a pump including a piston, an electro-mechanical device for operating said piston, including an electric circuit and an automatic switch controlled by said piston for opening and closingsaid circuit, comprising a fixed contact and a movable contact pivoted intermediate its ends, one of said ends being engaged by said fixed contact to open said circuit when the pump piston moves a predetermined distance in one direction and the other end engaging said contact to close said circuit when the piston is moved a predetermined distance in the opposite direction.

14. A fuel feed system for internal combustion engine comprising a main fuel tank, a carbureter, a supplementary fuel tank connected with the carbureter, a pump including a piston interposed between said main and supplementary fuel tanks, an electro mechanical device including a circuit for actuating said piston and a switch for opening and closing said circuit comprising a fixed contact and a spring control pivoted contact said fixed contact having portions adapted to engage the opposite ends of said pivoted contact-when the piston is moved in op osite directions to automatically open 5 an close said circuit. In testimony whereof I afiix my signature.

CHESTER H. BRASELTON. 

